Hoist apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hoist apparatus comprises a boom, a load lifting device, a retention structure attachment bracket, a stabilizing bracket and a retention structure. The load lifting device is attached to the boom. The retention structure attachment bracket includes two spaced-apart attachment features each configured for having a respective engagement member of an elongated retention structure engaged therewith. The stabilizing bracket is in spaced-apart relationship with the stabilizing bracket along a straight reference axis. An engagement face has a recessed profile such that an engaged portion of an elongated structural object is constrained therein. The retention structure includes two spaced-apart engagement members each releasably engagable with a respective one of the two spaced-apart attachment features of the retention structure attachment.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to hoist apparatuses and,more particularly, to mounting structures for hoist apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Tree stands are a very common tool of modern hunters. These stands aresmall platforms mounting high on tree trunks. By mounting a tree standsufficiently high on a tree trunk, a hunter is provided with anexcellent aerial view of the area surrounding the tree.

For many reasons, conventional approaches for mounting a tree stand at adesired height on a tree trunk can be seen by a hunter as troublesome,dangerous and/or intimidating. A common conventional approach formounting a tree stand is for a hunter to climb a tree while holding ontothe tree stand until the desired height is reached. Once at that height,the hunter must then begin the precarious task of mounting the treestand to the tree. This can be exceptionally difficult because thehunter must mount the tree stand while not losing his balance or footingand falling. Often, tree stands are mounted high enough to cause seriousdamage should the hunter fall while mounting the tree stand at a desiredheight. If the hunter is leery of climbing to such heights to mount thetree stand because he is concerned for his safety, he may only attain aheight of his upward reach. This relatively low height is hardlyadvantageous compared to a potential height multiple times higher.Furthermore, it is common for a hunter to hunt in multiple differentlocations over the course of multiple days. To use the same tree standin multiple locations, the hunter must go through the ordeal ofuninstalling/reinstalling the tree stand multiple times, which increasesthe risk for injury and consumes valuable time.

Therefore, a hoisting mechanism that is readily mountable on a treetrunk, pole or post in a manner enabling a person to safely raise anapparatus such as, for example, a tree stand into a relatively highposition on the tree trunk, pole or post would be useful andadvantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention enable individuals to hoist treestands or other items to locations well above their physical reach in astraightforward, safe, and effective manner. More specifically, ahoisting device in accordance with the present invention when affixed toa tree trunk or similarly shaped elongated structural object allows anindividual to easily and safely raise and lower objects such as, but notlimited to, tree stands as opposed to the individual being required toclimb the tree with the object on their person. Accordingly, the presentinvention advantageously overcomes one or more adverse aspectsassociated with conventional methods of installing tree stands andlifting objects onto trees or elevated locations.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a hoist apparatus comprisesa boom, a means for enabling attachment of a load lifting deviceprovided on the boom, an attachment means configured for having spacedapart engagement members of a retention structure engaged therewith, anda stabilizing means in spaced-apart relationship with the twospaced-apart attachment features along a straight reference axis. Thestabilizing means is configured for constraining movement of thestabilizing means with respect to an engaged portion of an elongatedstructural object.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a hoist apparatuscomprises an elongated main body, a boom, a means for enablingattachment of a load lifting device, a retention structure attachmentbracket, and a stabilizing bracket. The elongated main body has a firstend portion and a second end portion. The boom has a first end portionand a second end portion and is attached at a first end portion to theelongated main body adjacent the first end portion of the elongated mainbody. The means for enabling attachment of a load lifting device areprovided on the boom adjacent the second end portion of the boom. Theretention structure attachment bracket is attached to the elongated mainbody adjacent the first end portion of the elongated main body andincludes two spaced-apart attachment features each configured for havinga respective engagement member of a retention structure engaged. Thestabilizing bracket is attached to the elongated main body adjacent thesecond end portion of the elongated main body and has an engagement facethat has a recessed profile configured for constraining within anengaged portion of an elongated structural object.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a hoist apparatuscomprises a boom, means for lifting a load attached to the boom, aretention structure attachment bracket, a stabilizing bracket, and aretention structure. The retention structure attachment bracket includestwo spaced-apart attachment features each configured for having arespective engagement member of a retention structure engaged within it.The stabilizing bracket has a spaced-apart relationship with thestabilizing bracket along a straight reference axis and the engagementface has a recessed profile such that an engaged portion of an elongatedstructural object is constrained within it. The retention structureincludes two spaced-apart engagement members each releasably engagablewith a respective one of the two spaced-apart attachment features of theretention structure attachment.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at leastone embodiment, the attachment means includes spaced-apart attachmentfeatures.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the stabilizingmeans includes a stabilizing bracket and an engagement face with arecessed profile to constrain the engaged portion of the elongatedstructural object.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement faceof the stabilizing bracket has a concave contour.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement faceof the stabilizing bracket has a V-shaped contour.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the spaced-apartattachment features are positioned substantially equidistant from areference plane extending through and parallel with the straightreference axis.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement faceof the stabilizing bracket is generally bisected by the reference plane.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the stabilizingmeans for the hoist apparatus includes a stabilizing bracket.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement faceof the stabilizing bracket has a recessed profile that constrains theengaged portion of the elongated structural object.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the hoist apparatuscomprises a brace attached between the elongated main body and the boom.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the retentionstructure for the hoist apparatus is a flexible strap and the distancebetween the spaced-apart engagement members is adjustable.

These and other objects, embodiments advantages and/or distinctions ofthe present invention will become readily apparent upon further reviewof the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a hoist apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts the hoist apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 2 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a hoist apparatus in accordance with theinventive disclosures made herein, which is referred to as the hoistapparatus 2. The hoist apparatus 2 is a device to be used for liftingobjects to a higher location. In use, an individual installs the hoistapparatus 2 onto an elongated structural object in order to facilitatelifting another, possibly heavier, object with the hoist apparatus 2. Atypical use is for hunters to mount the hoist apparatus 2 onto the trunkof a tree in order to lift a tree stand to a desired high location.However, the hoist apparatus 2 has more far reaching capabilities. Itdoes not necessarily have to mount to a tree trunk, but could be mountedto any elongated structural object such as, but not limited to, a poleor post. The hoist apparatus 2 can also lift a variety of items such as,but not limited to, supplies, ice chests, tools, and even people. Thehoist apparatus 2 may be designed in an application-specific manner suchthat there is nearly no limit to the size or weight of an object thehoist apparatus 2 can be used to hoist. It can be manufactured to bevery lightweight for ease of transport and installation or more robustfor larger and heavier items. The hoist apparatus 2 is designed to besimply installed and uninstalled safely.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hoist apparatus 2 includes an elongated mainbody 4, a boom 6, a support brace 7, an attachment bracket 8, aretention structure 9, a stabilizing bracket 10, a load lifting device11, and a load lifting device attachment structure 12. The main body 4,boom 6, brace 7, attachment bracket 8, and stabilizing bracket 10, areall interconnected. They may be affixed to one another in any of avariety of methods such as, but not limited to, welds, fasteners,interconnecting devices, or could be molded together. Based on theintended usage of the hoist apparatus 2, the various components of thehoist apparatus 2 may be made from any material suitable to an intendedapplication such as, but not limited to, metal, alloy, plastic, or acomposite.

The elongated main body 4 has a first end portion 13 and second endportion 15 and extends generally parallel with a straight reference axisA1. The boom 6 has a first end portion 17 and a second end portion 19.The first end portion 17 of the boom 6 is attached to the first endportion of the elongated main body 4. Adjacent the second end portion 19of the boom 6 is a load lifting device attachment structure 12, whichmay be, but is not limited to, a hole with an inserted eyebolt or awelded bracket with a hole. Adding structural reinforcement to the hoistapparatus 2 is a brace 7, which is attached between the elongated mainbody 4 and the boom 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the attachment bracket 4 is provided atthe first end 13 of the main body 4. The attachment bracket 8 has twospaced holes 14 that are positioned substantially equidistant from areference plane P1. The distance by which the holes 14 are separated maybe adjustable by a variety of means including, but not limited to, theattachment bracket 8 being adjustable. Optionally, a plurality of pairsof spaced apart holes may be provided in the attachment bracket 8. Inaddition, the holes 14 may be substitutes with another form ofattachment feature such as, for example, tabs, cleats, eyelets,brackets, or any other suitable device.

The retention strap 9 is configured for being securely engaged with theholes 14 of the attachment bracket 8. As depicted, the retentionstructure 9 includes hooks 9 a attached in a spaced apart relationshipto an adjustable and flexible strap 9 b (e.g., made from a high-strengthwoven polymeric fiber). The hooks 9 a of the retention strap 9 and theholes 14 of the attachment bracket 8 are jointly configured for havingeach one of the hooks 9 a engaged with a respective one of the holes 14.The retention structure 9 serves the purpose of being engaged around anelongated structural object for securing the hoist apparatus 2 to theelongated structural object. In one embodiment, the retention structure9 includes the flexible strap 9 b and hooks 9 a. Optionally, theretention structure 9 may include a chain in place of the flexible strap9 b. The strap 9 b is adjustable via an adjustment device such as, forexample a buckle or ring through which the strap is threaded to allowproper and safe attachment of the hoist apparatus 2 to the elongatedstructural member. Furthermore, it is disclosed herein that a devicesuch as, for example, a cam buckle or turn buckle may be incorporatedinto the retention structure 9 for enabling the retention structure tobe relatively tightly engaged around an elongated structural object.

In one embodiment, a first one of the hooks 9 a is permanently attachedto the attachment bracket 8 to ease the installation process.Optionally, one of the hooks 9 a may be omitted, with the correspondingend portion of the strap 9 b being attached directly to the attachmentbracket 8.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the stabilizing bracket 10 is attachedto the second end portion 15 of the main body 4. The stabilizing bracket10 has a recessed engagement face 18 that is configured for engaging arespective portion of an elongated structural object for constrainingmovement of the stabilizing bracket 8 with respect to the engagedportion of the elongated structural object. In doing so, the stabilizingbracket constrains movement of the main body 4 relative to the elongatedstructural object. The shape of the engagement face 18 of thestabilizing bracket 10 may be concave, V-shaped, or of any other shapecapable of constraining the stabilizing bracket 10 relative to theelongated structural object. The shape may also be adjustable ordesigned to conform to the shape of the elongated structural object(e.g., including a foam element or a plurality of interconnected andmovable rigid segments). The stabilizing bracket 10 depicted in FIGS. 1and 3 is one embodiment of a stabilizing means in accordance with thepresent invention. Other embodiments of such a stabilizing meansinclude, but are not limited to, discrete legs, discrete blade members,adjustable members or the like.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the load lifting device 10 is attached to theload lifting device attachment structure 12 at the second end portion 19of the boom 6. Examples of the load lifting device 10 include, but isnot limited to, a winch, a pulley system, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 depicts the hoist apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 mounted to a tree trunk20 of a tree (i.e., an elongated structural object 20). The main body 4extends generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the tree trunk20. The strap 9 b of the retention structure 9 wraps around the treetrunk 20 with the hooks 9 a of the retention structure 9 engaged withrespective ones of the holes 14. Through tightening means such as, forexample a cam buckle 9 c of the retention structure 9 is securelytightened around the tree trunk 20. An adjustment buckle 9 d or othersuitable adjustment means is provided for adjusting an overall length ofthe strap 9 b such as for accommodating different size elongatedstructural objects. The stabilizing bracket 10 is also adjacent to theelongated structural member 20 and it is designed to have an engagementface 18 for stabilizing the end portion of the main body 4 against theelongated structural member 20. In the depicted embodiment, the loadlifting device 10 includes a pulley and a tensile member 24 such as arope or cable 24, which enables a person to hoist an intended object tothe desired height.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, one embodiment of an installation processfor the hoist apparatus 2 disclosed herein is for an installer climb thetree trunk 20 while holding the hoist apparatus 2 until a desired heightis attained. The installer then loosely wraps the strap 9 b of theretention structure 9 around the elongated structural object 20 andattaches the loose hook(s) 9 a to the respective hole(s) 14 in theattachment bracket 8. The installer then tightens the retentionstructure 9 around the elongated structural object 20 such as by the cambuckle 9 c, which secures the hoist apparatus 2 in place.

With respect to loads applied to the hoist apparatus 2, as an object islifted with the load lifting device 11, respective loads are placed onthe boom 6, the attachment bracket 8, the retention structure 9 and thestabilizing bracket 10. In general, the retention structure 9 exhibitstension loadings, but holds its position securely. The stabilizingbracket 10 bears against the tree trunk 20, which contributes to keepingthe hoist apparatus 2 solidly located with respect to the tree trunk 20.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have beendescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understoodthat other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention. To avoidunnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known tothose skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is,therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forthherein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A hoist apparatus, comprising: a boom; means for enabling attachmentof a load lifting device provided on the boom; attachment meansconfigured for having spaced apart engagement members of an elongatedretention structure engaged therewith; and stabilizing means inspaced-apart relationship with the two spaced-apart attachment featuresalong a straight reference axis, wherein the stabilizing means isconfigured for constraining movement of the stabilizing means withrespect to an engaged portion of an elongated structural object.
 2. Thehoist apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means includesspaced-apart attachment features.
 3. The hoist apparatus of claim 1wherein: the stabilizing means includes a stabilizing bracket; and anengagement face of the stabilizing bracket has a recessed profile suchthat the engaged portion of the elongated structural object isconstrained therein
 4. The hoist apparatus of claim 3 wherein theengagement face of the stabilizing bracket has a concave contour.
 5. Thehoist apparatus of claim 3 wherein the engagement face of thestabilizing bracket has a V-shaped contour.
 6. The hoist apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the attachment means includes spaced-apart attachmentfeatures.
 7. The hoist apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the twospaced-apart attachment features are positioned substantiallyequidistant from a reference plane extending through and parallel withthe straight reference axis; and the engagement face of the stabilizingbracket is generally bisected by the reference plane.
 8. The hoistapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the attachment means includes spaced-apartattachment features; the stabilizing means includes a stabilizingbracket; an engagement face of the stabilizing bracket has a recessedprofile such that the engaged portion of the elongated structural objectis constrained therein; and the two spaced-apart attachment features arepositioned substantially equidistant from a reference plane extendingthrough and parallel with the straight reference axis; and theengagement face of the stabilizing bracket is generally bisected by thereference plane.
 9. A hoist apparatus, comprising: an elongated mainbody having a first end portion and a second end portion; a boom havinga first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the boom isattached at a first end portion thereof to the elongated main bodyadjacent a first end portion of the elongated main body; means forenabling attachment of a load lifting device provided on the boomadjacent the second end portion of the boom; a retention structureattachment bracket attached to the elongated main body adjacent thefirst end portion of the elongated main body, wherein the retentionstructure attachment bracket includes two spaced-apart attachmentfeatures each configured for having a respective engagement member of aretention structure engaged therewith; and a stabilizing bracketattached to the elongated main body adjacent the second end portion ofthe elongated main body, wherein an engagement face of the stabilizingbracket has a recessed profile configured for constraining therein anengaged portion of an elongated structural object.
 10. The hoistapparatus of claim 9 wherein the engagement face of the stabilizingbracket has a concave contour.
 11. The hoist apparatus of claim 9wherein the engagement face of the stabilizing bracket has a V-shapedcontour.
 12. The hoist apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the twospaced-apart attachment features are positioned substantiallyequidistant from a reference plane extending through and parallel withthe straight reference axis; and the engagement face of the stabilizingbracket is generally bisected by the reference plane.
 13. The hoistapparatus of claim 12 wherein: the engagement face of the stabilizingbracket has at least one of a concave contour and a V-shaped contour;the two spaced-apart attachment features are positioned substantiallyequidistant from a reference plane extending through and parallel withthe straight reference axis; and the engagement face of the stabilizingbracket is generally bisected by the reference plane.
 14. The hoistapparatus of claim 9, further comprising a brace attached between theelongated main body and the boom.
 15. The hoist apparatus of claim 14wherein: the engagement face of the stabilizing bracket has at least oneof a concave contour and a V-shaped contour; the two spaced-apartattachment features are positioned substantially equidistant from areference plane extending through and parallel with the straightreference axis; and the engagement face of the stabilizing bracket isgenerally bisected by the reference plane.
 16. A hoist apparatus,comprising: a boom; means for lifting a load attached to the boom; aretention structure attachment bracket including two spaced-apartattachment features each configured for having a respective engagementmember of an elongated retention structure engaged therewith; astabilizing bracket in spaced-apart relationship with the stabilizingbracket along a straight reference axis, wherein an engagement face hasa recessed profile such that an engaged portion of an elongatedstructural object is constrained therein; and a retention structureincluding two spaced-apart engagement members each releasably engagablewith a respective one of the two spaced-apart attachment features of theretention structure attachment.
 17. The hoist apparatus of claim 16wherein: the two spaced-apart attachment features are positionedsubstantially equidistant from a reference plane extending through andparallel with the straight reference axis; and the engagement face ofthe stabilizing bracket is generally bisected by the reference plane.18. The hoist apparatus of claim 16 wherein the engagement face of thestabilizing bracket has at least one of a concave contour and a V-shapedcontour.
 19. The hoist apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the retentionstructure is a flexible strap; and a distance between the spaced-apartengagement members is adjustable.
 20. The hoist apparatus of claim 16wherein: the two spaced-apart attachment features are positionedsubstantially equidistant from a reference plane extending through andparallel with the straight reference axis; the engagement face of thestabilizing bracket is generally bisected by the reference plane; theretention structure is a flexible strap; and a distance between thespaced-apart engagement members is adjustable.